The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is launching a new program — postgraduate diploma in food science and technology (PGDFT) at its School of Agriculture. The aim of this program is to develop human resource for the growing food processing sector and provide knowledge and technical competencies to address the emerging issues of processing, product development , food safety, marketing, export & sustainable use of resources; to satisfy the need of National Mission of Food Processing set up by the government.

The one-year program would cover areas such as food chemistry and nutrition, food microbiology, food processing and engineering, quality control and food packaging, among others. In the second semester, students can choose their specialisations under four categories — food and vegetable processing, meat, poultry and fish processing, dairy processing and cereal, pulses and oil seeds processing. Forty per cent of the academic component will focus on the practical aspect, an official announcement says.

The practical classes will be conducted at the IGNOU campus, New Delhi, and in some selected program study centres . As part of the course, students have to compulsorily undergo a one month training. IGNOU is also in the process of setting up a food processing lab. The lab will focus on building infrastructure for food processing and food analysis.

Graduates in agriculture/food technology/ dairy technology/ horticulture /home science/ agriculture engineering and science graduates with chemistry/ life science/ biotechnology/microbiology are eligible for the admission. Existing technicians, managers, food industry professionals and technologists can join the program to strengthen their knowledge and technical proficiencies and to have a vertical career mobility.